One of the state's leading commodity organizations is supporting the call for national approval of the technology and labeling of food. The Wisconsin Corn Growers Association has asked the state's Congressional delegation to support the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2014. The measure would
establish a federal standard for the safety and labeling of food and beverage products made with genetically modified ingredients.

"We can protect important grower technology and provide accurate and consistent consumer information regarding the treatment of GMOs in our food supply by requiring the FDA to test and approve GMOs before they hit our tables," the corn growers said in a letter to the congressional delegation.

The group says with nearly 80 percent of the food produced using genetically modified organisms, the bill reaffirms the FDA as the nation's authority for the use and labeling of GMO food ingredients while providing consumers greater confidence by establishing a required FDA safety review process for all new
GMO traits.

Meanwhile, the legislation would also empower the FDA to provide greater consistency in the market by defining the term 'natural' for its use on food and beverage products. The clear definition of this commonly used term would offer consumers clarity about products allowing them to base choices on information
verified instead of marketing claims.

"GMOs are now found in 70-80 percent of the American food supply, and this delivers a number of tremendous benefits," the WCGA said in a release. "Food is more abundant and affordable for everyone because farmers can produce more food with lower overhead."

The state corn growers said planting GMO crops provides farmers many benefits such as using less pesticides, increasing yields per acre, and even improving drought tolerance.